Page 31 of Blood and Thorns

“That’s exactly what you are.” His fingers moved to pick up the choker from the box.

I stilled when he stood, walking around until he was behind me. He brushed my damp hair away from my neck so he could lock the choker into place. It wasn’t as heavy as I expected, but it was tight.

Sebastian didn’t say anything else, his hand hot as it hovered on the exposed skin of my collarbone. His fingers were rough, calloused as they stroked with a gentleness I didn’t expect. His breath suddenly feathered across my neck, and my lips parted to try and take in more oxygen.

“Tu vas bien te comporter, n’est-ce pas Arabella?”

It took a moment for me to realise I couldn’t understand him, his presence distracting. Overwhelming. “I don’t speak French.”

He chuckled darkly, the sound tightening the air around us until it crackled. A shiver wound its way down my spine. Part fear, and part…

Nope.

Not happening.

Team reluctance.

“Who’s fighting?” I asked, pointedly ignoring the heat left by his touch. It was just a natural physical reaction. Nothing more.

Sebastian didn’t answer me, instead pulling out my chair before walking over to the lift. A car was already waiting for us in the underground garage, with Chip as the driver, and before long we arrived outsideThe Thorn.

Sebastian placed his mask on, his shoulders straightening and his body more rigid as he stepped out of the car.He waited at the door, and after a beat I followed him towards the entrance. The street was already busy, the crowd hushing once they’d spotted Sebastian.

The late afternoon air chilled my skin, and I couldn’t control the tremble as I tried wrapping my arms around myself. Sebastian grabbed my hand, pulling me tighter against his side. I would’ve usually recoiled, but considering he was the size of a door, if not bigger, he was a good block for the wind.

The same bouncer as before lifted the rope, and Sebastian paused at the entrance.

“You let anyone else in you’re not supposed to tonight, Miles?” he asked, an acerbic edge to his tone that was sharp enough to cut.

Miles the bouncer dipped his head, a flush appearing along his face. His eyes darted to me, as if I could help get him out of the conversation. I would’ve laughed if I wasn’t attached to a man who seemed to terrify everyone.

Sebastian continued, “You were made aware Detective Graves wasn’t allowed in, and yet you were on the door.”

“Sneaky fucker got past us,” Miles said with a visible wince, his eyes now dipping to me accusingly. What did I do? “Sorry, boss.”

Sebastian stiffened a little, his temper swift but quickly cooling. Without another word he pressed his palm against the bottom of my back, escorting me inside.

I’d forgotten how electric the atmosphere was, too nervous the first time I was here to really appreciate the sensual music and tempting darkness that greeted you inside. The dance floor was thriving, bodies moving to the music that was pumped through the strategically placed speakers. Guests were talking, mingling, and I was pretty sure we just walked past someone enjoying some caviar with their champagne.

I spotted Langdon on the far side, a burst of light every now and then as he played with his lighter.

More pressure against my spine, Sebastian’s hand forcing me to step faster. He guided me to where two men, clearly twins if I went by their creepily identical images, stood guarding the entrance to a booth tucked away in the corner.

Neither of the guards acknowledged me at all, simply nodding at Sebastian before returning to staring straight forward. They were hard to tell apart with their dark skin, dark eyes, and dark suits.

Before I could take a seat, Sebastian grabbed my wrist and tugged, forcing me onto his lap. “Sit,” he ordered.

I awkwardly sat, conscious that my skirt had risen up, and of course Sebastian had chosen to sit at the edge where the table didn’t cover us. Luckily not many people were looking our way, too absorbed with their own lives. If people did glance in this direction, their gazes were fleeting as if not wanting to risk being caught.

Sebastian never relaxed beneath me, his body like stone. After a while I found myself soaking the warmth radiating from him, because it wasn’t like I had anything else to do.

“Am I to just… sit here?” I asked quietly, not really expecting him to speak considering he hadn’t said anything other than the single command.

“Yes.”

“Why?” I tried to turn in his lap, but his hands on my thighs stopped me.

I froze, his thumbs rubbing little circles on my skin.